Dayton To Release Construction Project Wish-List

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton plans to unveil a list of construction projects he’ll ask the Legislature to pay for using proceeds from the sale of state bonds.

Minnesota lawmakers have traditionally passed a bonding bill in legislative sessions in even-numbered years. Dayton’s proposal, which he’ll unveil in a late-morning press conference at the Capitol, is expected to include $775 million worth of construction on campus buildings, roads and bridges and other infrastructure projects and other state priorities.

The governor has argued that the bonding bill is an effective way to foster private sector job growth by creating construction jobs in communities around Minnesota. But some Republicans have been reluctant to commit. They argue that it’s not an ideal time for the state to accrue new debts.